Sound Consumer archiveJuly 2012

If you buy canned or jarred tuna, you may have noticed prices have climbed steadily for several years. The bad news is that more price hikes may be coming. We wanted to know why — what factors are responsible. Here's what we found.

2012 is forecast by many to be a year of great change and, from an ocean conservationist's perspective, this comes not a moment too soon. Even now, in spite of overwhelming evidence and strong warnings from the scientific community, we continue to plunder our seas at an astonishing rate.

So many flavors, so little time — the ice cream aisle at PCC is overwhelming, we know. It's an eternal debate: should you choose cool, pure vanilla or classic chocolate? Or, is it time to go for something outrageous?

Those of us living in the Pacific Northwest are blessed this time of year with a steady flow of high-quality and affordable local, fresh fruit and vegetables. With nectarines, peaches, tomatoes and other summer favorites hitting the markets, it's a good time to remember why choosing in-season, organic produce is important.

Large crops of tree fruit, including cherries, are in store this summer — if there's enough labor to get the fruit off the trees! It's also looking to be a good season for Alaskan wild salmon and PNW pole-caught albacore.